Ramirez released a statement acknowledging the suspension.

“Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was ok to give me. Unfortunately the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under that policy, that mistake is now my responsibility,” he said. “I’ve been advised not to say anything more.”

Some reporters, especially a vocally and clearly angry Bill Plaschke, who ranted on ESPN Thursday afternoon, don’t believe the “doctor” story.

“Was there a Dominican cousin mentioned in there? Who in their right mind would believe that?” said Plaschke.

Plaschke called the situation “devestating to this city’s (Los Angeles) baseball culture, absolutely devastating.”

“How many times are we going to keep believing players who say ‘I didn’t know what it was?’” said Plaschke. “Get the guy out of a Dodger uniform. Get this guy out of baseball.”

Ramirez asserts that in the past, he has successfully passed 15 drug tests.

“Los Angeles is a special place to me, and i know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I’m sorry about this whole situation.”

The Los Angeles Times is first reported the story Thursday morning.

The times reported that Dodgers told AAA outfielder Xavier Paul to be ready to report to Los Angeles.

The Times says that Ramirez will say the test results are because of medication he received from a doctor for a medical issue.

If the report is true, it is a brutal blow to baseball. Manny Ramirez was widely considered one of the last “clean” superstars and was an absolute first ballot hall of famer until today.

Ramirez would be the second of his superstar ilk to fall this season, behind Alex Rodriguez.

Ramirez led the Boston Red Sox to two World Series championships. He leads the Dodgers this season with a .348 batting average and has six home runs so far.

Ramirez has previously denied steroid use.

“This party has officially ended,” Schilling wrote in an email. “After being blessed to experience 23 years of playing professional baseball in front of the world’s best fans in so many different places, it is with zero regrets that I am making my retirement official.

“To say I’ve been blessed would be like calling Refrigerator Perry ‘a bit overweight.’ The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime.”

Schilling was as good at pitching as he was being annoying and obnoxious…and that says a lot about how good of a pitcher he was.

Schilling compiled a record of 216-146, notching 3,116 strikeouts in 20 years of MLB service, and is the only pitcher to win a World Series start for three different teams.

His father, David N. Mullaney, was a retired semi-pro pitcher. Unwilling to let his son be forced to abandon his love for baseball by possible injury, space constraints, lack of a full line-up, or the threat of property damage, he began to create a backyard-safe bat and ball and a set of rules that could make a competitive game between as little as two people. What was born was an idea so simple that its genius has become an American icon. Rare is the hand of an American youth which has not handled a WIFFLE ball and bat at some point in their development.

Since its inception in 1953, WIFFLE ball has gone from backyard fun to a competitive sport. Tournaments with serious prize money are offered across the nation. Connecticut has adopted WIFFLE ball as a state game and more states are interested. Variations on rules and pitch speed color national tournaments. Nick Benas and Jared Verrillo, creators of Big League WIFFLE Ball, are at the heart of the WIFFLE phenomenon.

“We’re a medium-pitch organization,” Verrillo said. “We find that pitch speeds up to 35mph create a tournament that is action friendly, allows sufficient hit-ability, and still allows for all the play you expect in WIFFLE pitching.” You can see how satisfying their tournaments are (and how profitable), when you check out their website: www.bigleaguewiffleball.com. Teams in the winner’s bracket can be seen flashing stacks of hundred dollar bills. They even have a Guinness World Record attempt approaching in May 2009 for the largest mass participation in a WIFFLE ball tournament.

You may notice that the winner’s bracket is often inhabited by the legendary professional WIFFLE team called DOOM. Dallas Mall and Adam Trotta dominate the East Coast but constantly are under threat by teams like Absolute Gunners, Lou’s Diamonds, Cereal Killers, and Krusty’s Kids. Teams like DGA tour the Midwest and battle their arch rival High Heat for victories in the Chicago-land area. Chad Heyda and Brian Payne compete in the Minneapolis area and with the help of a mutual friend took first place in a tournament in Madison, Wisconsin.

Serious WIFFLE players like to theorize why the game is so enjoyable. Many believe that it fits a niche in the American psyche where playing baseball can no longer reach the masses. When people are working two or three jobs or taking multiple extracurriculars along with long hours of schooling, there is neither time nor possibility to get the numbers needed for a baseball game at the local diamond. There is, however, time to get a few friends together to hear “the crack of the plastic” as your buddy smacks a home run or to hear the “wiff” of the iconic yellow bat as it misses a wicked curve, slider, or riser. America’s past-time has evolved. It’s latest manifestation is WIFFLE.

What makes a topic for interesting conversation and debate is where the other teams in the division fall into place. With the Dodgers ability to potentially re-sign Manny and their impressive post-season play last year, I cannot fathom power ranking them 4th. Many would naturally expect the San Francisco Giants to assume this poll position, however I am optimistic for this ball club to make improvements from 2008. I believe the team that deserves to occupy the 4th place power rank in the West is a team that will not be celebrating Hollidays this year…wait, I mean Holliday.

Lets take a team that finished at .500 from last year and see what happened to them in the off season. They lost blue-chip sensation, Matt Holliday in a trade to give them financial wiggle room as well as speedster Willy Tavaras and closer Brian Fuentes to free agency. Bummer. What did the Rockies recover from these losses? Some money, and Huston Street the young closer from Oakland. I like Street’s potential, however, the Rockies already have a usable closer in Manny Corpas, so I can’t help but feel that they put their eggs in the wrong basket when trading away Holliday. Why didn’t they go for a marquis pitcher to aide their stomach-churning rotation? Speaking of which…

The Rockies arms have to be amongst the bottom seven in the MLB. I suppose they consider their ace to be Aaron Cook, who had a good first half of last year, but proceeded to play like a skunk for the rest of the season. The rotation is followed by Jeff Francis and Franklin Morales who both battle injuries of sorts and neither may play this season. Ubaldo Jimenez could help the team out if he strays from his 100+ walks from last year, and newcomer Jason Marquis may become something good, but has a lot to prove in his first chance as a starting pitcher. For a team that plays 80-some-odd games in a stadium renowned for its home-run hitting ease, this rotation has to be scaring the pants off everyone in Colorado.

Aside from Garret Atkins being a totally overrated bust, the Rockies don’t look too shabby in the field. There is power behind (SS) Troy Tulowitzki and (RF) Brad Hawpe and breakout potential behind (C) Chris Iannetta. The rest of the field doesn’t necessarily dazzle or disappoint. If and when Todd Helton realizes that he is going to be 36-years old this season, he may start to dip in offensive production.

Plain and simply, you can get away with crappy pitching if you have a line-up like the Yankees but you can’t if you’re the Rockies. They have lost speed and power and are getting older at the corners. They will put up a fight within the middle of the pack of the NL West, but when the season is over you will see them in the 75 wins range…and occupying 4th place in their division.

I have never heard of a team being wildly successful with as few weapons as the San Diego Padres. Unfortunately, for the city named after “a whale’s vagina,” I will be power ranking their ball-club at 5th  in the West. I’m hard pressed to believe that the Friars will exceed 70 wins this season, which would be a seven-game victory improvement from last year’s amateur hour.

Jake Peavy is God in San Diego. Without him, the organization might as well take a year-long vacation. He will be 27-years old on Opening Day and is arguably a top-three MLB pitcher. He should be primed for another 200+ strikeout season and double digit wins. But who does he have to support him in the rotation? Exactly. Chris Young fills in as the #2 guy. He’s ok if he can stay healthy, which isn’t a sure thing. Finishing off the depth chart: Cha Seung Beak, a Korean from Seattle with a 5.10 ERA, Kevin Correia, who is barely more than a middle relief guy, and potential rookies Wade LeBlanc or Ivan Nova. Yucky.

Even assuming that Jake Peavy blows away an MLB record and marks 30 wins this season (joke), there isn’t any offense to give run support to the lackluster bats on the team. Adrian Gonzalez has emerged as a legitimate first-class first basemen and will be the center of their offense. The developing and supportive Chase Headley and Kevin Kouzmanoff will bolster the team by sharing third base, with Headley in left as well. The rest of the offense is extremely blasé, however, with David Eckstein (2B), Craig Stansburry (SS), Nicholas Hindley (C) and Bryan Giles, Scott Hairston and Jody Geirut (who might be something) in the outfield.

Heath Bell is now the closer with Hoffman gone, and this simply supports my theory that San Diego will not surpass 70 wins this year.

What San Diego has going for them is the absence of a monster competitor in their division. I can’t see them falling victim to the Dodgers or the Rockies an embarrassing amount of times, but know they will not be able to climb to 3rd in the division either.

Check back soon as I will power rank the rest of the NL West.

“I think it kind of gets out of hand,” he said of all the Phillies-Mets rivalry chatter. “But you know what? If it spurs enough (interest) to where we get a lot more attention when we face each other, that’s fine.”

Hamels did say that he has a lot of respect for the Mets players.

“I don’t want it to be bad blood against their players and us because we respect each other,” he said. “But if it really gets the fans involved, that’s OK.

“I know that I have the Phillies fans on my side and I know I’m never going to have the Mets fans on my side. So it’s not like they’re going to cheer me when I go out there. I guess if it gets more exciting when we play, I think that’s good for baseball. I think that’s what baseball needs. It needs some good rivalries to forget about the other stuff off the field that’s been happening.”

Does he wish he never said anything at all?

“I’ll live with it, and I’ll never regret anything I say because I learn from it,” Hamels said. “It’s a situation where I can try to apologize to players because I don’t want them to be offended by it. I have a lot of respect for all the players on their team. I guess it’s just something to stir the pot. Hopefully it’ll get things going for when we compete during the season.”

He was asked if he’ll talk to the Mets players about all this when he sees them.

“Yeah, most likely,” he said. “And I think they’ll understand. They know. They know the game. We try to play it as best we can. We like to be competitive. But we’re not trying to kill each other out on the field because further down the line we might be playing with these guys. It’s not like it used to be back in the day when players could go at each other because they knew they were never going to see them because they never had the free agency or trades that they do now. I have a lot of respect for them. They’re major leaguers and they play for a big-time franchise and city.”

Who else can’t wait for May 1, when the Phils meet the Mets for the first time this season? I have my popcorn ready.

A National League preview is on its way tomorrow.

AL EAST
The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry will live up to the hype this year after big offseason signings by both teams and a disastrous scandal for New York. The Yankees add slugger Mark Teixeira and amp up their rotation with A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia, causing many to beg for a salary cap. But if the Yankees aren’t careful, A-Rod’s steroid admissions could become a bigger story than their big-name roster. The Red Sox add pitchers Takashi Saito, Brad Penny and John Smoltz and seem to be drama-free entering the season; bringing back a healthy David Ortiz and Mike Lowell doesn’t hurt, either. The third-wheel Tampa Bay Rays lost Rocco Baldelli to Boston but also have added Pat Burrell and Matt Joyce, both useful acquisitions. Still, their young superstars need to have another stellar season to pull off the sophomore Cinderella story. Oh, by the way, there’s two other teams in this division. The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles are playing t-ball compared to the AL East love triangle.

Prediction:
1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Rays
4. Blue Jays
5. Orioles

AL CENTRAL
The mediocre AL Central consists of five teams that made little improvement during the offseason. The White Sox are getting old and everyone is tired of manager Ozzie Guillen’s antics, resulting in low expectations for a team whose daily clubhouse fodder typically resembles an episode of Desperate Housewives. The Kansas City Royals put up a good fight last year, but they lack stability and it’s still too soon to put them above the .500 mark. The unpredictable Detroit Tigers, a huge World Series favorite during last year’s preseason, had the opportunity for success but blew their chances during what could only be called an epic meltdown. They are the epitome of “good in theory, bad in practice” with impressive names on their roster, but don’t call it a comeback just yet. The Cleveland Indians struggled after losing Sabathia last season, but this year should fare better for the Tribe; if the individual play of Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Fausto Carmona are any indication of what’s to come, they’ve got a shot. But the Minnesota Twins should end up taking this one; even though they lost some big names to teams out east, they retained Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer and Francisco Liriano, all key components of their formula. Still, it’s a “best of the worst” scenario; none of these teams would have a chance in another division.

Prediction:
1. Twins
2. Indians
3. White Sox
4. Tigers
5. Royals

AL WEST
The Angels have little competition in the four-team division, even after losing Teixiera and Francisco Rodriguez during the offseason. The only team close to catching them is the Oakland A’s, who smartly added Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi, but their rotation needs a huge boost before it can catch up to the likes of high-caliber teams. Despite signing houshold name Ken Griffey Jr., the Mariners are destined to stay stuck in a last-place rut – but at least they haven’t skipped town like Seattle’s NBA franchise. The dark horse Texas Rangers could potentially become an offensive powerhouse, but who can name a decent pitcher in their rotation OR their bullpen? Give this one to Los Angeles and call it a day.

Prediction:
1. Angels
2. A’s
3. Rangers
4. Mariners

But yes, Oil Can Boyd is 49 years old and wants to pitch in the Bigs for the first time in 18 years.

“Satchel [Paige] being my idol and knowing he didn’t come into the (majors) until he was in his early 40s, that’s always been in the back of my mind,” Boyd told The Boston Globe. “Now, I’ve been given back the fastball I once had. I want to play.”

Boyd’s former catcher thinks he can actually pull it off.

“He looks no different to me now than when I caught him in Texas (with the Rangers). He still has the same passion. I don’t know if he was getting to 90 because we didn’t have a (radar) gun, but he still had the same stuff. The same tight slider, curve, fastball,” said former catcher Mike Stanley.

In a 10-season career with the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers, Boyd collected a 78-77 record with 799 strikeouts and a 4.04 ERA in 1389.2 innings. In 2005, Boyd tried to come back when he pitched for the Brockton Rox of the independent Can-Am League.

A colorful personality, Boyd was usually known for a good quote, even if it didn’t make sense. After a 1986 game against the Indians was canceled due to fog, Boyd said “That’s what they get for building a park on the ocean.” The stadium is actually built right next to Lake Erie.

Boyd had a few troubles in his past, including admittance to a psychiatric ward in 1986 after a fit of rage driven by the fact that he didn’t make the All-Star team. In 2005, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for threatening a girlfriend and her son.

But all that behind him, the man nicknamed Oil Can for his penchant for beer drinking when he was just 15-years old is ready to get back on the mound just shy of his 50th birthday.

“I have nothing to lose, and all a major league team has to lose is 15 minutes,” Boyd said. “Give me 15 minutes and I’ll show I can still pitch. That’s all I want.”

Some seem to think that because Izzo is the only football player scheduled to be a witness, that it shows how clean the NFL is. I’m not so sure about that. Let’s see what happens after we get more information about the names that Dana Stubblefield named in his case for lying to federal investigators.

But, getting back to the Bonds case. Probably more damaging will be the testimony of Bonds’ former personal shopper Kathy Hoskins, who claims she saw Anderson inject Bonds with steroids. In his original statement in 2003, Bonds claims that Anderson never injected him with anything, so this claim would certainly put Bonds into the category of “lying under oath.”

Bonds is about as cooked as can be. He has pleaded “not guilty” to perjury, but there seems to be no shortage of people willing to come forward and say he’s full of it.

Upper Deck is releasing several new, rare Joe DiMaggio cards in 2009

Upper Deck and the estate of the great New York Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio reached an agreement to produce trading cards that include DiMaggio memorabilia and cut signature cards.

To commemorate the exclusive deal for UD, a limited Joe DiMaggio card, #0, will be packed inside 2009 Series One Baseball packs coming out this week. The card features “Joltin’ Joe” next to a chalkboard after he tied the Major League Baseball consecutive games hitting streak record at 44. On the chalkboard it calls out “44 EQUALS RECORD” with a smiling DiMaggio kneeling behind it.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with the estate of one of the biggest names in baseball history,” said Jason Masherah, Upper Deck’s senior brand manager. “Collectors and sports fans should be excited about finding Joe DiMaggio content inside of many of Upper Deck’s 2009 baseball card releases. In this day and age when records fall frequently, DiMaggio still holds one of the most amazing baseball achievements of all time.”

It’s baseball card season again kiddies!

ESPN is reporting that Rodriguez, in an exclusive interview with Peter Gammons, has admitted to allegations that surfaced in a recent Sports Illustrated report online.

“I felt an enormous amount of pressure,” Rodriguez told Gammons. “Back then it was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young. I was stupid. I was naive. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth, you know, being one of the greatest players of all time, and I did take a banned substance.”

Rodriguez did appear apologetic in talking to Gammons.

“I am very sorry and deeply regretful,” Rodriguez said. “Although it was the culture back then … i just feel that I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to my fans.”

SI reported last week that four sources independently told the magazine that Arod tested positive for two anabolic steroids at that time. According to SI, Rodriguez’s name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball’s 2003 survey testing, which the MLB Players Association agreed to allow to determine if it was necessary to impose stricter drug testing in baseball.

The drug Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for, Primobolan, is less detectable than many other steroids because its markers stay in the body for less time than other drugs. It is also expensive, costing about $500 per week, SI reported.

Rodriguez called the time a “loosey goosy” era, saying he didn’t “know exactly what substance” he “was guilty of using.”

Rodriguez hit 47 home runs in 2003, good enough for his third consecutive home run title.

Rodriguez won his first American League Most Valuable Player award in 2003 while with the Texas Rangers.

SI is reporting that four sources independently told the magazine that Arod tested positive for two anabolic steroids at that time.

According to SI, Rodriguez’s name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball’s 2003 survey testing, which the MLB Players Association agreed to allow to determine if it was necessary to impose stricter drug testing in baseball.

The drug Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for, Primobolan, is less detectable than many other steroids because its markers stay in the body for less time than other drugs. It is also expensive, costing about $500 per week, SI reported.

The 2003 steroids tests were sealed by agreement but leaked to Sports Illustrated by sources.

Rodriguez hit 47 home runs in 2003, good enough for his third consecutive home run title.

The move will not affect his relationship with NBC, where he has worked since 1980.

“No, we don’t have a problem,” NBC spokesman Brian Walker said.

Costas hosted the first-ever program on MLB Network, while HBO demanded cable exclusivity.

“Bob Costas was a terrific addition when he joined HBO Sports eight years ago, providing us with a distinct and unique presence,” HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said. “Television is about change, and we respect Bob’s decision to move to the MLB Network.”

Maine wanted $3 million and the Mets were offering $2.2 million. So, some genius figured out that $2.6 million was in the middle, and probably got paid for providing that information. Maine can also earn an additional $25,000 if he pitches 200+ innings. Wow, thanks for adding that in there, Omar.

Maine was 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 25 starts and 140 innings in 2008, but missed the last five weeks due to a shoulder injury. He was up and down during the season, but overall is a bargain at $2.6 million.

Pedro Feliciano is the last player the Mets have facing arbitration. He made $1.04 million last year and would like to get $1.95 million.

Pedroia is facing two counts of oral copulation and lewd acts with a child under 14.

The 30-year old was booked into Yolo County jail with his bail set at $50,000.

“In two to three weeks—that would be nice,” Utley said. “If everything goes as planned, that’s what we want to do. And right now, we’re on schedule.”

Utley, who hit .292 with a career-high 33 bombs in 2008, first started feeling pain in his hip in May or June. He played through the injury to help lead the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980.

“It’s about listening to my body. Right now, we are listening and it’s responding well,” Utley said. “If that continues to happen, then I don’t see why I won’t be ready for opening day.”

As of now, he thinks he can start swinging a bat in a few weeks, provided there are no hiccups.

“If there are some setbacks—which are a possibility—I’m not going to be dumb about it and move through it,” Utley added. “I’ll listen to my body and when it’s ready, it’s ready. Hopefully that will be Opening Day.”

General Manager Reuben Amaro, Jr. is “cautiously optimistic” about his early return.

“Everything that we’ve done so far, there have been no problems,” Utley said.

His skipper thinks if anyone can do it, it’s Utley.

“I know how (Utley) works out,” added manager Charlie Manuel. “He’s more determined than anyone in the world, really.”

A California native, Utley has spent a ton of time in Philly this off-season rehabbing and thinks he can be ready for the Braves on April 5th.

The Phils got some more signin’ to do because Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson, Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin are still eligible for arbitration.

Hamels’ deal takes care of his arbitration years and will not cut into his free agent years. He was 14-10 in 2008 with a 3.09 ERA. He had a 1.80 ERA in the playoffs and was World Series and NLCS MVP.

Youkilis broke out in 2008, hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs.

MLB sources have told Foxsports.com’s Ken Rosenthal that the Boston Red Sox are nearing a deal with long-time Atlanta Brave pitcher John Smoltz. It’s a one-year deal for a reported $5.5 million for the 41-year old pitcher.

The deal is also packed with incentives that would potentially push the deal to $10 million for the year, sources said.

Smoltz, who is coming off shoulder surgery, would give the Red Sox six starting pitchers. He would join Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Brad Penny. Smoltz has been a closer in the past, but the Red Sox already have Jonathan Papelbon, so there is no need for him there.

Smoltz has been with the Braves since 1987.

UPDATE: ESPN says it’s now final.

“One thing I’m going to say, I’m a man and I’m accountable for my actions,” the Phillies reliever said in an attempt to tell his side to the media before MLB makes an announcement on Tuesday. “If I’m guilty of something, you know what? I will face it. But I’m not guilty, and I’m not letting people that don’t really know me judge me over something and accuse me of something that I didn’t do.”

Romero was a brilliant setup man for the Phils and very important to their championship run. He stands to lose $1.25 million in the suspension.

“If people are intimidated because Major League [Baseball] is a big organization, so be it,” Romero said. “But they are not going to make an example of me thinking that I’m just a [dumb] Puerto Rican. It’s not going to happen. It’s not the way I’m built.

“For me to keep my mouth shut? That’s not the right thing to do. If they want to bump me out of the game, so be it. What am I going to do, just sit back and take it? When I know in my heart I’m innocent? That doesn’t fly well with me and it doesn’t fly well in my house, either.”

Hopefully, Phillies fans enjoyed their World Series victory, because they will have to start their run to repeat without three valuable pieces to the puzzle. Chase Utley will be out several months following hip surgery, and Pat Burrell signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees are hoping to sell 720,000,000 bleacher seats during those two days which will cover Teixeira’s contract. And they are looking to sell 146,363,636 grandstand tickets to help pay for CC Sabathia’s contract.

These games against the Cubs represent the pre-season home opener at the new Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees have now signed first baseman Mark Teixeira to a reported eight-year $180 million deal.

He joins CC Sabathia (seven-year, $161 million) and A.J. Burnett (five-year, $82.5 million) as high-priced free agent additions to the Yanks.

What recession?

Earlier in the day it was thought that the Red Sox would be the front runner to land the former Angel. Other interested teams included the Nationals (haha! whatever) and the Orioles.

In 2008, Teixeira hit .308 with 33 bombs and 121 RBI’s.

In an e-mail to Boston media from Sox owner John Henry Thursday night, he explained that “we met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor.”

Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras released statement as well: “The Boston ownership was kind enough to request and travel to meet with Mark Teixeira. While it was a very positive meeting, Mark was candid and advised he is in the process of making a decision and is now attempting to eliminate teams.”

It is now unknown where he who wants to be the $200 million man will end up.

There is word, however, that Henry might just be calling Boras’ bluff. That remains to be seen.

Why was he doing an interview with NY sports radio? He was pimping the Phillies World Series DVD that just came out. Mets fans must have been thrilled.

To be fair, people are taking bits and pieces out of context to make it seem worse than it really was. Did he refer to the Mets as choke artists? Yes. Was that term used in the question that was posed to him? Yes again. Should he have stirred the pot? Absolutely not. I am of the firm belief that no good comes from comments like this.

However, it does seem that the more you look into it, the more the Mets royally piss the rest of the league off. They are known as show boaters who go over the top with on-field celebrations. This is a big reason why Phillies players don’t hesitate to take shots at them when all logic says they should just shut up. In other words, the Mets irritate the Phillies and other teams to the point where they just want the world to know how much they hate them.

Hamels even made a reference to his teammate Shane Victorino, who tends to behave like the Mets do as far as celebration.

“I’m hoping I don’t hurt too many people right here with this,” Hamels said. ” … When Jose Reyes hits home runs, he points his finger up like he won the game. And he might have hit in only in the first inning or the third inning. Well, when Shane did it, he did the same exact thing. So we were [saying], ‘Hey, Shane, this doesn’t win the game. We still have a lot of game to play. Ya know, why are you trying to be like Jose Reyes?’

“And so that was kind of where it came from. … Even though you hit the big home run, you don’t need to pimp it. You just need to run around the bases and just kind of get the game started.”

Hamels was then asked by hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno if he thinks the Mets are “choke artists.”

“Last year and this year, I think we did believe that,” said Hamels. “Three years ago, we didn’t, because they smoked everybody. I really thought that was the year they were going to the World Series. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

“That’s kind of what we believe. … I think we’re always going to believe it ’til they prove us wrong.”

The hosts stopped him and asked him to repeat whether or not he thought the Mets were choke artists.

“Yeah,” he replied. “For the past two years, they’ve been choke artists.”

Yep, the NY Post reports that Sabathia will sign with the Bronx Bombers in a seven-year deal that is worth approximately $160 million.

Sabathia made the decision after three days in a row of face-to-face meetings with Yankees GM Brian Cashman. I’m not sure what needed to be discussed for that long considering that no one was in the price range of the Yankees.

Pujols, who hit .357 with 116 RBI’s and 37 HR’s, beat Howard in votes 369-308.

In the American League, the MVP was awarded to Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia, who beat out Twins slugger Justin Morneau 317-257 in the voting.

Pedroia hit .326 with 83 RBI’s and 17 HR’s and also won the 2008 AL Gold Glove. Not too bad for a second baseman.

I used a picture of Pedroia to support this piece just to make Guilfoil happy.

Hank Steinbrenner has made a name for himself in his few shorts months as the face of the New York Yankees, so one wouldn’t think that he would need a Facebook page.

Hank Steinbrenner on Facebook? (Blast Magazine Staff Illustration/Bill Palmer)

I guess this is a good idea to keep in touch with the young generation that is in his clubhouse, but it does seem a little unprofessional to be in a group called “Papelbon Needs a Pap Smear.” However, it is a good thing that he doesn’t update his status very often because that really gets on my nerves when people clog my news feed.

The one question I have is, how about MySpace? You figure that a guy from New York ould be all over it.

So, here’s to seeing how Mr. Hanky creates his web image and waiting in anticipation for his next drunk wall post.

“I had a great year, bar none,” Longoria said. “I know I have the ability to do more.”

Longoria hit .272 with 27 bombs and 85 RBI’s in the 2008 season.

Soto, meanwhile, batted .285 with 23 HR’s and 86 RBI’s.

“It’s kind of surreal. It really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Soto said.

Nate McLouth, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
Carlos Beltran, OF, NY Mets
Shane Victorino, OF, World-Champion Philadelphia Phillies
Greg Maddux, P, San Diego Padres/LA Dodgers
Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Cardinals
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, San Diego Padres
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Cincinnati Reds
Jimmy Rollins, SS, World-Champion Philadelphia Phillies
David Wright, 3B, NY Mets

In the past ten years, the five best-rated World Series are 1999 (16.0), 2004 (15.8), 2001 (15.7), 1998 (14.1), and 2003 (12.8). Other than 2004 which featured the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, there is common denominator (or dominator?)…The New York Yankees.

Baseball just doesn’t spark the interest to the general public like it used to. Maybe the horrible TV schedule has something to do about it?

The 2008 World Series drew an 8.4 rating.

8:37 pm finally arrived on Wednesday. Rally towels that were used in the past to wipe away tears of frustration were about to be used for a different purpose…to wipe away tears of joy. So, what happened Wednesday night?

Jason Werth’s blooping single found a way to avoid Akinori Iwamura’s glove.

The fog was lifted at Soldier Field and Keith Jackson didn’t drop that pass in the end zone.

Eric Lindros kept his head up and avoided Scott Stevens’ concussion-giving hit.

Robert Horry’s last-minute three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals fell short.

Chase Utley didn’t throw to first, but nailed Jason Bartlett at home.

L.J. Smith held onto the ball while being tackled by Randall Gay in Super Bowl XXXIX.

The doctors didn’t find a small blood clot on Kimmo Timonen’s foot and a deflected puck didn’t find Braydon Coburn’s eye.

Eric Snow and Aaron Mckie didn’t have to play on broken ankles during the 2001 NBA Finals.

Ben Zobrist’s line drive found Jason Werth’s glove.

Brian Westbrook played in the 2003 NFC Championship game.

Alexander Perezhogin missed on a devastating hit that could have ended Keith Primeau’s career.

This was announced, “with the 8th pick in the 1998 NBA draft the Philadelphia 76ers select Paul Pierce from Kansas University.”

Blaine Bishop, despite losing a step, tackled Joe Jurevicius.

And the Phillies won the World Series…that’s what happened.

For one night everything that could have gone well…did, and anything that could have gone wrong…did not. For one night the past was forgotten. For one night the sports history of a city was re-written.

The Philadelphia Phillies are world champions and a city that supports their teams through thick and thin will be able to have the celebration they deserve. With the pressure off, and the Phillies to thank, don’t be surprised if the parade on Friday is followed by many more.

The Phillies win the 2008 World Series four games to one and if anyone thinks I’m going to sit behind this computer to type out a bunch of articles this evening you are a nut job.

Cole Hamel wins MVP and Brad Lidge remained perfect as he struck out Eric Hinske to seal the deal.

What else do you need right now? Everyone played hard and never gave up and they just went out there and knew they could win and…blah, blah, blah.

I do my best to be a responsible, non-biased journalist. I really do Tonight? Screw that, I’m heading out to celebrate!

First of all, will there be a singing of the national anthem? We all know that every sporting event kicks off with “The Star Spangled Banner,” but what about when you start a game in the sixth inning?

A quick Google search didn’t turn up any results. Maybe Patti Labell mangled it enough to last for two nights.

Secondly, will there be a seventh-inning stretch? Do fans that just sat down really need a break?

The answer here is most likely yes, as someone will certainly be singing “God Bless America.” And I hate to say this, but if tonight’s performer sings like the others from this World Series, put some cotton in your ears. I’m sorry, but there must be someone out there who isn’t tone deaf and would be interested in singing on national television.

And the most important question of all? When will they stop beer sales? Typically, it’s in the seventh inning, but Peter Mucha of the Philadelphia Inquirer did some sleuthing (someone should) and found out that booze will be available until the ninth inning.

“Today is considered a new event,” Aramark spokesman David Freireich said.

Amen to that.

Coincidence? Or was MLB absolutely shivering at the thought of having a World Series won on a rain-shortened game? We all know it’s the latter.

The game should have been stopped long before the sixth inning. Like…say…how about when a Gold Glove shortstop can’t handle a routine pop up because the wind is throwing the ball around the infield and rain is stabbing his corneas as he looks up and tries to locate the ball? Would that have been a good time to call the game?

But it is what it is. Philly, once again, can’t catch a break in any sport. Call it bad luck, call it unnecessary whining. With Hamels on the mound at home and a 3-1 lead, the city was ready to celebrate. But no, instead, they get a Wednesday night game to try to finish off the final three and half innings.

I’ve broken down several reasons why the Phillies will win this series, and several why the won’t. Let’s take a look:

Why they will win:

-The Phillies have four at-bats to the Rays’ three on Wednesday night. The game starts tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

-The Phillies bullpen has been filthy this season, and matches up better against the pen of the Rays.

-The Phillies have been finding ways to win and have proved to be the better team.

-Regardless of their production in Game 5, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria have been a waste of space for the Rays.

-With the extra day gained by the Game 5 suspension, the Phillies could have Cole Hamels ready on full rest for Game 7 if need be.

-Philadelphia is due.

Why they won’t:

-Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria are too good to be this bad in the World Series. Game 5 could be proof that they’ve put their games back together and are ready to light it up.

-If the Rays finish the Phils off in Game 5, they go back to Tampa with James Shields and Matt Garza on the mound.

-David Price could give the big lefties (Utley, Howard) fits on Wednesday night and shut the Phils’ main engine down. Going back to Tampa means anything goes.

-The Rays are too good to go out 4-1 in the World Series.

-The Phillies bullpen is due for a meltdown.

And finally…

-Monday night was their night. By not locking down the win (through no fault of their own necessarily), they have opened the door and given a young, energetic Rays team life and faith that they can win. The Rays will play with a renewed confidence that will only build as they claw back into the Series.

What’s even worse is Palin’s attempt to pander to the local teams. Here are here word-for-word comments on the Rays and Red Sox. She said the SAME EXACT THING to Phillies fans. At least Obama didn’t repeat himself verbatim. Notice in this clip that she checks her notes before telling Rays fans about how they “know how to turn an underdog into a victor.” She is so stupid.

It occurs to me, even at the quarter-life age of 24, that this year’s group of college freshmen were largely born in nineteen-ninety — to say nothing of you high schoolers.

That means that 2003 seems like a million years ago. That means you weren’t born in 1986.

With the success of the Red Sox, Patriots and now the Celtics in our Generation Y and Z lifetimes, we’ve not only become spoiled, we’ve become inundated with this new expectation that Boston has to win every year.

Don’t forget that the Celtics were a joke throughout most of our formative years. The Patriots were a bigger joke. Most living fans waited their entire lifetimes for the Red Sox to win a World Series.

We’ll lament together and hold hands at the bonfire of our baseball season going up in flames and — gasp — we might cheer for the Phillies on Wednesday. But don’t feel too bad about this loss. It sucks. It blows. Screw Tampa Bay and its fan base that stood strong at three fans last year. All that jazz. But don’t feel too bad.

In 1986 and 2003 we felt bad. We felt demoralized. All our hopes were crushed. Dreams were gone. The sun refused to shine in Boston for weeks after game 6 in 1986 and then Aaron-bleeping-Boone’s homer in 2003 opened up all kinds of wounds.

Some of you younger fans may feel that way tonight. I don’t. I think a lot of our parents will agree. Sure, it’s too bad we lost, but we lost to a better team. We lost to a group of straggly young rejects and journeymen who got together and formed something special. That’s how the Sox won in 2004, and we have nothing to be ashamed about by losing to the Rays.

With this new winning tradition comes a sad yet sure realization: sometimes we don’t.

Chamberlain was arrested early Saturday morning in Lincoln, Nebraska for allegedly driving under the influence, speeding and having an open container of booze in his car.

Brilliant.

But, it’s not just the lack of judgement as far as whether or not he thought he was ok to drive. When is it a smart move to have an open container in the car?

This is just flat-out stupid.

In case you forgot, the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007.

Josh Beckett is hurt and can’t give the team 100 percent, but he won’t admit that and clearly thinks he can dope his way around whatever injury he clearly has.

And he just got embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Rays.

No one can blame Mike Timlin for taking the loss Saturday (Sunday morning) because the Red Sox never should have been tied 8-8 after 10 innings.  All eight of those initial runs were charged to Beckett and his dead arm, shoulder or whatever it is.

Josh Beckett should not start another game until team doctors can medically prove he isn’t playing injured.

Give all the credit in the world to the Rays and their good, pure, young talent, but Boston set itself up to lose by starting a hurt pitcher.

Amalie Benjamin, the Boston Globe’s Red Sox beat reporter, called it in the pre-game show. Beckett is hurt. He’s not the ace if he’s hurt.

The Sox have depth, they’ll make due with what they have. Remember, the Rays closer, Troy Percival got hurt this year, and they stepped up with Dan Wheeler, whose 89 mph fastball embarrassed Boston hitters Saturday.

Timlin, had a 5.66 ERA in 47 appearances this season and was left off the roster for the ALDS against the Angels when the Red Sox decided to carry 10 instead of 11 pitchers. They’re taking more pitches in this potential 7-game series, manager Terry Francona.

It is widely reporter that Timlin will retire after this season. He had been keeping the last baseballs from his previous 2-3 relief appearances as a momento, in case it was the last go-around for the 18-season workhorse.

Blast loves Mike Timlin, especially after his 2004 and 2007 World Series contributions.